Stone Soldiers 4: Shades of War by C. E. Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

killer, before he was plunged into darkness was of a name tag over one pocket of the soldier’s burnt shirt. It read ANTAEAN.

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
     
    Josie wasn’t very happy about this. Instead of preparing for the deployment to Georgia with the stone soldiers, she found herself on a late night flight to Wisconsin- babysitting Dr. Olson. The Colonel- her grandfather- had broken the news to her after the lengthy briefing the night before.
    “I need you and Dr. Olson to head north,” he’d said.
    At first, Josie had wondered if the side mission wasn’t an attempt by Kenslir to keep her out of harm’s way. Since learning they were related, the Colonel’s attitude toward her had definitely changed, as had Josie's toward him.
    She didn’t doubt this mission was important. A documented subject with Fellish DNA was dead- murdered in his own home. Despite never having manifested any noticeable abilities, the subject had remained on the books and the military was very interested to find out why he was dead.
    Josie and Dr. Olson had boarded a flight at nearby Homestead Air Force Base and flown through the night. The vampire was only too happy to be leaving Florida, entrusted with a mission. Olson had talked through most of the flight, preventing Josie from sleeping. She was exhausted when they arrived.
    At a small airport, they transferred from their Department of the Interior-liveried Learjet to a black government SUV provided by the local FBI offices. They were given maps, a GPS and a file to read as they headed into the town and the county hospital. Kenslir had stressed the need for discretion on this trip. They were alone, with no escorts or backup. Not that a vampire or a girl who could freeze things with her mind needed any backup.
    Once at the hospital, the duo, both wearing dark women's business suits, quickly made their way to the basement and the small morgue there. The County's medical examiner was waiting for them.
    "A pleasure," the middle aged man with a receding hairline said. He smiled broadly as he looked both women over, the action making the gray hair on the sides of his head move as his skin crinkled. "Dr. Allen Hobart."
    Hobart looked both women up and down, paying particular attention to their curves that their tailored business suits failed to conceal.
    Laura stepped forward, slightly blocking Josie with her shoulder. She didn't like the way this human was looking at the girl. "Dr. Olson, and this is Agent Winters."
    "Enchante’," Dr. Hobart said, bending at the waist and pulling on Laura's hand as though to move it to his lips and kiss it. He found himself unable to do so. The pretty redhead with her blouse unbuttoned enough to show she wasn't wearing a bra held her hand in place- fixed where she had extended it, immovable. He shook the hand and turned, motioning with his other hand.
    "The body is over here."
    The trio entered the main room, lined on one side with floor-to-ceiling refrigerated storage for corpses. Two examination tables were in the center of the room, and on one there was a body covered with a white sheet.
    The room stank of chemicals and cleaning agents, and generally grossed Josie out. She stopped at the end of the table, by the corpse's feet. She wished again that Kenslir hadn't sent her on this trip.
    Dr. Hobart pulled the sheet back, revealing the corpse's torso, arms and head. "It's really rather unusual."
    "How so?" Laura asked as she leaned in closer, examining the corpse.
    "Well, friends of the family say Mr. Trumball was clean shaven the day before his death," Dr. Hobart said, reaching out and tickling the whiskers covering most of the corpse's face.
    Laura pulled rubber gloves from her pocket and slipped them on. She began to pull on the beard and test it. "That is unusual."
    "That's not all," Dr. Hobart said. He walked around Laura, his hip brushing against her backside. He moved to the corpse's right arm and lifted the hand. "Frostbite."
    Olson took the hand and